Pre-Budget Consultation: CM Majhi highlights Odisha’s key priorities, seeks Central support

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi highlighted Odisha’s developmental aspirations, key priorities, and specific requests for Central support in the Pre-Budget Consultation meeting of the Union Finance Minister at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on Friday.

“Though I will submit a detailed memorandum to the Union Finance Minister elaborating some issues concerning all States and some issues specific to Odisha, I would like to put forth a few important points,” CM Majhi said.

Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SACI):

In the Union Budget 2024-25, the allocation under SACI has been enhanced to Rs 1.50 lakh crore, which has benefited all States including Odisha. However, the untied allocation under Part-I of SACI constitute only 37 percent of total allocation and balance 63 percent is linked to sectoral reforms.

Hence, in order to have predictability of fund flow and enhanced utilization for CAPEX, it is requested to allocate at least 60% of the total allocation under SACI, 2025-26 under untied Part-I while allocating remaining funds for sectoral reforms.

Support for Urbanization: Odisha’s urbanization is much lower than the national average. Cities are the engines of growth and migration of large population from villages to cities is inevitable. This requires huge capital investment for which support from Union Government will be necessary.

Sanction of new Industrial Townships: New industrial townships may be sanctioned for Gopalpur (Salt Pan Land) and Jharsuguda to accelerate economic growth in southern and western Odisha respectively.

Facilitating an enabling environment to attract investment in Odisha: The Prime Minister of India has stated that Odisha will be the growth engine of the country in coming years.

a) to speed up Large-scale infrastructure projects such as Industrial Parks and Corridors, Electricity Grids, Railway Infrastructure – including Dedicated Freight Corridors, Roads and Expressways, Ports and Airports.

b) to speed up major Central Projects like Sagarmala Project, East Coast Economic Corridor and National Waterway-5, which will significantly augment Odisha’s industrial development.

c) to introduce a dedicated central scheme under the visionary ‘Purvodaya’ initiative to support critical infrastructure development in eastern states, including Odisha.

d) Support in enhancing the capacity and technological capabilities of Paradip Port, including expansion of container handling infrastructure.

e) Assistance in fast-tracking environmental clearances for industrial infrastructure projects.

f) Financial Support for Industrialization in Aspirational District

g) Establishment of a Rare Earths Complex in Odisha

Tourism Development: “I am grateful to Hon’ble Union Finance Minister for making a special mention about Odisha tourism’s potential in last year’s budget speech. We need about Rs. 10,000 crores of investment to create world-class tourism infrastructure across the State. I request Government of India to announce a special package for development of tourism in Odisha in the budget of FY 2025-26,” he said.

Funding the balance work under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): In the current financial year, release of Central Assistance to SNA account under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is much lower than the current year’s requirement. The available funds under the scheme have already been exhausted. In order to complete targeted projects before the coming summer and expedite the progress of all projects under JJM scheme, I request Hon’ble Union Finance Minister for adequate budget provision under the scheme and timely release of fund.

Health & Education: A new government took charge six months ago after 24 years of rule of a regional party. The expectations of the people are very high. People of Odisha wants to see transformation in healthcare, education and infrastructure. I have mentioned about Odisha’s specific needs in the Memorandum.

Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts home to PVTGs like Juang, Lodha, Bihor, and Mankidia. “I request you to include 11 uncovered blocks of Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts under the Aspirational Blocks programme in addition to the 29 blocks approved earlier.”

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the meeting. Along with Union Minister for State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, the meeting was also attended by Chief Ministers of Goa, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya and Odisha, Deputy Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana, the Finance Ministers of States/UTs, besides Secretaries of Departments of Economic Affairs and Expenditure, and senior officials of the Ministry of Finance.